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“Why are you sitting alone?” Pratik’s voice broke through the loud buzz of the hall as he glanced at me, sizing me up from head to toe.
I ignored him, not in the mood for small talk. My gaze swept the hall, searching for her, the only person who mattered tonight.
Twenty-three days had passed. She hadn’t touched me—not even once. She hadn’t come to talk to me or even glanced in my direction, leaving me starved for her attention.
“Hello, guys!” a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see Pragati, her cheerful face lighting up the room, with my so-called friend, Rushabh Malhotra, trailing behind.
Rushabh didn’t waste any time, taking the seat beside me with his partner. I barely had five minutes of peace before Esha showed up, plopping down on my lap.
“Sit on the chair.” I said firmly, trying to keep my tone even, though frustration brewed beneath the surface. Esha looked at me with pleading eyes, and I had to hold back a sigh.
I couldn’t afford to anger my girl any more than she already was; I couldn’t risk pushing her further away. With a light touch, I lifted Esha by the waist and set her down in the chair beside me.
“Do you know who she came with?” Rushabh asked, my head shook in silent response, my eyes scanning the room again. There was a need, a pull, as if I couldn’t breathe right until I found her in this crowded room.
“Wait a minute—if Pragati came with you, then that means—” My voice trailed off, realization striking me, and Rushabh’s eyes widened too, mirroring my thoughts.
Before I could complete the thought, though, we heard some voice near the door. I turned to look, only to close my eyes for a moment. There she was.
Wearing a gray, sleeveless bodycon dress that hugged her in all the right places. The neckline was just low enough to offer a teasing glimpse of her collarbone, her upper chest, hinting at a beauty that was hers and hers alone.
Her hair was styled in a messy bun she loved, a few loose strands flowing in the air. Her lips were painted with her favorite nude pink lipstick, soft and inviting, with long earrings cascading down her neck.
Ethereal beauty!
I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
She was so close, yet so distant.
And then, my gaze shifted, and a wave of red-hot anger surged through me as I saw him. He extended his hand, and without hesitation, she took it. My jaw clenched, hands curling into fists.
My girl has started getting comfortable with everyone. She started scanning the hall, her eyes searching, and I knew exactly who she was looking for.
My heart raced, as her gaze finally locked with mine. There was no smile on her face, just a calm intensity as she looked me over, head to toe, sizing me up in silence.
